Group of 5 conferences could form own 'tournament,' per CFB insider
College football’s postseason as the FBS level may not be done making changes.
On Tuesday, college football insider Heather Dinich of ESPN shared an interesting tidbit from the spring College Football Playoff meetings. Per Dinich, there is “buzz” about a G5 “tournament.”
There is some buzz here at the @CFBPlayoff spring meetings about the idea of a Group of 5 postseason tournament. It was discussed years ago but never gained traction. Retiring AAC commish Mike Aresco said he was always concerned it would “separate us from the big guys.”
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) April 23, 2024
The chatter comes as the CFP is changing to 12 teams starting with the upcoming postseason for the 2024 season. The format for the next 2 years is described as 5-7. The 5 highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed to be in the Playoff, with the next 7 spots going to the highest-ranked available at-large teams.
The CFP is set to feature “at least” 12 teams for 2026 and beyond, as the FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed to a new contract in March that paved the way for a massive media rights extension with ESPN. There have been talks of a 14-team format, with Power conferences being allotted multiple auto bids.
For the casual college football fan, it has been a bit dizzying to keep up with all moves just months removed from crowning Michigan the national champion in a 4-team Playoff.
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Reaction to Group of 5 tourney talk divided
Early reactions to the potential Group of 5 split showed two schools of thought. Some feel G5 conferences would be hurting themselves by having their teams compete for a separate championship. Others feel it’s long overdue.
Here’s a small sample of what is being said on social media:
Separate G5 playoff would be football’s equivalent of basketball’s NIT. Bad idea! https://t.co/IGmRBeMyGq
— ???? ?????? (@MikeFPrater) April 23, 2024
I know this isn’t a UCF concern anymore, but:
WHY would the G5 do this to itself?
Do you really think Boise State, Memphis etc would rather play a consolation tournament against each other instead of getting the 12 seed in the CFP?
The access is finally there https://t.co/DN6ByKrb09
— Christian Simmons (@ByCASimmons) April 23, 2024
Absolutely needs to happen. Should’ve happened already. Stop pretending South Alabama is chasing the same trophy as Alabama. Give those schools/teams/players their own playoff, their own championship. Will be great for the “student athlete experience” and will be great TV! https://t.co/Lef682QRY3
— Matt Wyatt (@RadioWyatt) April 23, 2024
?I pushed this idea/concept for a couple of years. IMO, it is a great idea. https://t.co/KokiXWNUtL
— Big Ten information. College football fan (@Genetics56) April 23, 2024
The Group of 5 conferences are getting their best shot in the CFP the next two seasons. The 5 conference champion spots and 7 at-large bids do not have conference labels attached.
For 2026 and beyond, however, there are strong indications the SEC and Big Ten want to make the CFP more Power-conference-oriented. Ross Dellenger’s Feb. 28 report revealed a model of 10 bids going to SEC (3), B1G (3), Big 12 (2) and ACC (2) teams, with 1 bid going to a Group of 5 conference champion and 3 at-large spots.
If Group of 5 conferences are looking at having just 1 of 14 teams in the CFP, a split for a separate tournament might pick up steam.
It is inevitable…
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Good idea.
Anyone thinking there will be G6 Cinderella story are fooling themselves. The only Cinderella story will be a 9 seed power 2 not a mid major going on a run. Let them compete for their classication national championship like FBS AA.
A G5 school isn’t going to win the championship, but the real question is whether they would rather have the chance to upset a bigger school in the main tournament or win a trophy against other smaller schools. Some teams might prefer the chance to play giant killer, even if they don’t end up winning it all.
definitely onboard with this, but i just don’t see it coming into fruition…at least nothing here soon
Absolutely needs to happen. NIL will make it harder for the G5 (or whatever they’re going to be called) to compete and a prolonged playoff structure is going to tax even the deepest rosters.
Well, Boxter, you have figured out the NIL problem. From an enrollment standpoint have more alumni and supporters and likely more money to buy or retain players. There are a few trying to break out of that paradigm (Memphis/ FedEx – at least until the runoff to UPS, DSL and even the US Postal Service is accounted for). I like the idea of getting rid of pretenders but this generation is entitled and addicted to consolation trophies – so it could happen.
What network is going to pay for it?
When is the playoff going to be played as the big tournament will be going on at the same time. Maybe they can play their games early in the week. Probably need to play games on campus to get a live audience. I’m good with it if they can make it work.